Eagle found in landfill discovered to have been shot

A bald eagle that was found in the Central Landfill in Johnston has been discovered to have been shot.

The eagle took a turn for the worse on Thursday morning and needed emergency treatment. During the treatment the veterinarians performed an X-Ray and discover 3 small bullets which they believed to be buck shots; one in the eagle's tail, one in its leg, and one in its chest.

The 2-year-old eagle is currently being treated for led poisoning. It is unclear when the eagle was shot or if the eagle is ailing from the bullet wounds or from injuries caused by the blizzard.

The eagle, believed to be female, was found laying flat with her head down in the landfill on Tuesday. Initially a woman spotted the bird low in a tree on Monday and called for help on Tuesday afternoon when she saw it on the ground.

Dr. Chi Chan said that the non-profit volunteer organization overseeing the care of the bird, Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island, has been in business twenty years and have never treated a bald eagle in Rhode Island.

"They are very rare," said Chan. "For someone to shoot a beautiful bird like this is sick."

She also noted that it is illegal to shoot any migratory bird in the state of Rhode Island.

She has high hopes for the eagle though who she says is weaker than it was yesterday but is standing. "We are keeping our fingers crossed and doing everything we can," said Chan.

The eagle is being cared for by an all volunteer staff that belongs to the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island. Donations are welcomed. Anyone interested in making a donation can log on to www.riwildliferehab.org for more information.